The West Indian Manatee

The West Indian Manatee, is one of three different manatee species. Each can be distinguished from the area it lives in.

There are three different species of the manatee. There is the Amazonian manatee, the West African manatee, and West Indian manatee, all these creatures look a lot alike. The only differences are the territories they inhibit. The Amazonian manatee can be found in waters of the Amazon. The West African manatee can be found in waters of West Africa. The West Indian manatee can be found in waters of the Caribbean.

The West Indian manatee is a rather large sea mammal; he lives in the shallow waters of the Caribbean Islands. His diet consists of plant life, using his large snout to pull up vegetation and he uses his flippers to hold his meal and also dig up plants from the bottom of the seabed.

This manatee is large and can weigh up to 3,000 pounds and grow to a length of fifteen feet long. His body is made up of a huge supply of blubber. This blubber is used as a backup supply of food and helps keep him warm in cooler waters.

When the West Indian manatee reaches the age of six years old it may become sexually active and prepare to mate. The female will send signals to let the male know she is ready to mate. After the male and female mate, the female leaves, and goes on her own. It will take twelve months for the female to deliver her new calf. The calf will stay with its mother for two to two and half years, then it will leave and go on its own.

The West Indian Manatee has been said to live in captivity for about thirty years, it is thought to live longer in the wild.

The West Indian Manatee is an endangered species. Water pollution may be its final fate.